A new year draws nigh and I am not overstating it to say HOORAY, NEW YEAR. Of course, we know not all our issues will poof at midnight but it’s nice to dream, isn’t it?
This year has been odd for our budget. Between the crazy prices on groceries (remember the lack of sales and coupons?) and staying home from all planned vacations, our budget is confused. More money here, less money there- more indulgences and treats to make up for the travel we couldn’t enjoy… my budget doesn’t know whether she’s coming or going. We’re definitely going to have to get that straightened out, and there is no better time to do it than right now!
I like to go ahead and start working on my new year budget in December, that way when the New Year starts, I’m prepared. With the hope of travel and visits to friends and family, and who knows what else, I need to make sure my budget moves away from the food comforts and home comforts and back into being a healthy balance of travel, grocery, entertainment, savings, etc. True, it may (will) be that the first few months of the new year don’t change significantly for us, but it’s better to be prepared now and starting to rein it back in than to wait.
I’m happy to tell y’all I am going to be saving $20 a month from now on! I checked our internet/tv bill. When I signed up initially, it was cheaper to bundle the worst tv package (we’re talking unusable) with the internet for a discount. After checking back over a year later, it is now cheaper to drop the tv and go solely with the internet, which also had a stand alone discount. Consider this your friendly reminder to check your bills every now and again! I just wish I had caught this sooner- but hey, it’s never too late to save $20 a month! I cancelled the tv service as soon as I realized it was no longer necessary, so we’ll get a prorated savings this month as well!
This past week was HUGE for my crafts! I cut off orders, so there is only one outstanding order before I close up shop for Christmas. I could probably do more, but I want to make sure I enjoy the holiday with my family and have plenty of time for baking, and moving watching, and hot chocolate drinking! For me, the key with the crafting income is making sure to balance it with life. I don’t want to make my crafting too much of a “job” at this time, it’s just a way to destress, create and bring in a few bucks on the side.
I also was able to sell a duplicate Hallmark ornament on Mercari! Apparently while shopping the deals last year, we didn’t realize we grabbed two adorable Mickey & Minnie campfire ornaments. Hooray for a bit of decluttering, making back a buck or two on what I paid, and someone else being able to add a beautiful ornament to their collection (still at a discount!) It was a win all the way around.
Goal: $5500
December 7th- December 13th
$139- Crafts
$11- Mercari sale
$10-Kohl’s Cash- there was an issue with a curbside pick up order of mine and for my trouble, the manager gifted me with $10 Kohl’s Cash! I’ll move money out of the household or clothing budget to cover this Kohl’s Cash and that $10 from the budget goes into the fund!
$5- Crowdtap
$3- Pinecone Research
$.25- Misc
Total earned this week: $168.25
Fund Total from last post: $3998.73
Current Fund Total: $4166.98
Still Needed: $1333.02
I’m averaging $119.06 a week! I’m getting close! I can’t believe how well the earning has gone this year, but I know better than to count my chickens before they hatch- hard times are ahead I’m certain!